Penn State coach James Franklin praised former Nittany Lion Saquon Barkley’s NFL success with the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.
Franklin, speaking to Big Ten Network while discussing his 2025 recruiting class, expressed confidence in Barkley’s potential impact against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Based on what he’s been doing all year long, we’re proud of him,” Franklin said. “For him to be doing it back in the state of Pennsylvania, where he grew up, is special. People are crazy about it between Penn State fans and Eagles fans; it has been good [to see].”
The Eagles running back has energized Pennsylvania football fans in his first season with Philadelphia after five years with the New York Giants.
“We [at Penn State] expected him to have a big year. He’s had a dominant year all year long. I think he should be MVP of the NFL. I think he has done that – you look at the yards, you look at the production.”
Franklin highlighted Barkley’s team-first mentality, referencing a key play from the Eagles’ playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
“Even the playoff game where he could have ran for another 60-yard touchdown, and put the team first and just slid down. That’s the kind of young man he is.”
Super Bowl LVIII will mark Barkley’s first Super Bowl appearance in his six-year NFL career.
